Everyone needs their family…

Synopsis

Freya Halliwell is looking forward to marrying the man of her dreams and starting their new life together. After the death of both of her parents, Ollie, along with Freya’s aunt, are the only family she has, but all the family she needs.

Until Freya discovers a shocking secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her once happy family and especially the man she used to call dad. Devastated and feeling more alone than ever before, Freya needs time and space to come to terms with the news. But until then the wedding is off!

Seabreeze Farm is the perfect place for Freya to recover. But could this beautiful farm perched high on the cliffs, also hold the answer to Freya’s past and reunite her with the family she never even knew she’d been wishing for?

This book was previously published as Finding Dad.

My review

Freya Halliwell is looking forward to marry the love of her life, Ollie. After just recently having lost her mother, she is now ready to start her own family with Ollie, with the constant support of her aunt.
But one day her whole world falls apart as she discovers a secret that everyone hid from her. And now she questions everything she thought she knew about her parents. The cherry on top of the cake is when she finds Ollie in a restaurant with his best friend and the scene is too cosy for Freya’s liking.
With the wedding suddenly off, Freya needs a place to recover, so she decides to keep her reservation for the Seabreeze Farm, but only for her.
With the warm and compassionate welcome she receives from Ellie, Freya may also find the answers to all of her questions, and even find a bond that is normally only for families… 

It’s no secret how much enjoy reading each book this author writes. So I was a bit disappointed in myself when I realized that this was the second book in the series, and I haven’t read Book N. 1.
However, now I know which book I have to read next! And it isn’t mandatory having read the first book to truly enjoy this book. 

Freya is a character that gave me mixed feelings. Because I felt so sorry for her, as she is still grieving the loss of her mother, but I was also happy for her that she soon would be marrying Ollie.
I understood how shocked she was with her discovery and how she started to question just everything and everyone.
And then calling the wedding off, was perhaps understandable, but also an overreaction, as it was just on top of already a terrible day for Freya, especially as we have seen how understanding and loving Ollie has been before.
I just couldn’t put those two versions of Ollie together, I just couldn’t see Ollie being that kind of guy. 

But this story isn’t about Freya and Ollie, it’s about Freya and her search for family.
I can only try to understand how Freya feels, as the man she loved dearly turns out not to be her biological father.
However, I can understand her desire to find her biological father, as Freya has obviously questions to ask him. 

From the start, it’s crystal-clear that Seabreeze Farm is a wonderful place, with amazing people. The way not only Ellie, but her whole family welcomes fragile Freya, and help her in anyway, warmed my heart.
All their kindness are a real help for Freya, to overcome all her pain and hurt. They don’t judge her perhaps rash decisions, but stand by her side every step of the way. And even if not knowing all the details they are absolutely in her corner.
What a wonderful place, makes me wish to book my own stay there! 

While Freya is going through a very difficult time, the warmth and the love turns this book into a marvellous story.
The author shows her readers that family isn’t only about sharing the same DNA, as Freya absolutely adored her father and vice versa. But also how at ease Freya feels with people she just met. Sometimes you don’t need to know people for a long time to feel a strong connection with. And the revelation of who Freya’s biological father is, shows us again that that kind of connection tells us more than DNA. 

I also loved how the author shows us that the people that truly love us, unconditionally, are able to see the pain we are feeling. And that love will survive everything, and that those who matter, can forgive us for decisions made in the wrong state of mind. 

I had very high expectations for this story, and I can say without an inch of a doubt that the author fulfilled each expectation, even surpassed them and made me fall in love with amazing characters in a magnificent setting. And I have the certainty that this series will turn out to be a spectacular one, filled with laughs, joy, hope and love!

One cottage, so many questions…

Synopsis

When Leonie Baxter finds herself out of a job and out of a relationship, she’s at her wits end. Her life has just been turned upside down and she needs a plan, fast.

By chance, on a walk with her rescue puppy, Leonie stumbles across a striking house in the woods; fully furnished but unoccupied. As a journalist, she is determined to find out more, after all, reporting is in her nature.

But her attempts are thwarted by Lily Cruickshank who lives in the cottage next door. Why won’t Lily help Leonie? And who is the mysterious Flynn Talbot, whose letter Leonie finds inside the house?

And in uncovering the secrets of the abandoned house, will Leonie open her own heart and let love back into her life?

The brand new escapist story from the bestselling author of A Secret Scottish Escape and A Scottish Highland Surprise, for fans of Jo Thomas, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley.

My review

Journalist Leonie Baxter enjoys working for the local newspaper. But with the paper is taken over and will be a joint paper with another town, there is no longer place for Leonie.
While walking to clear her mind with her puppy in the woods, she comes across an abandoned yet wonderful cottage. Her journalistic interest is piqued, even if she is chased away by the neighbour next door, Lily Cruickshank.
However, when her new, yet not as she expected, job brings her back to the cottage, Leonie finds a letter addressed to Lily, from a Flynn Talbot.
Who is Flynn Talbot and why did he write Lily? And why is the cottage in the state it is in? These are just a few questions Leonie asks herself, yet she is determined to get them all answered, while struggling with her new job… 

Before I started reading this book, I thought I knew what kind of story this would be: woman finds an empty cottage, is intrigued by it, wants to know more, meanwhile meets a man, falls in love, discovers the mystery and lives happily ever after.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with is, as I enjoy reading these kind of stories.
And as I know this author, I was ready for being wrapped in a warm blanket filled with love and a tiny mystery.
But… the story took me by surprise and even turned out to be better than expected! 

I think we all have heard about journalists have no scruples, ready to find a story anywhere. But Leonie was the total opposite.
I liked it how she was this caring character, putting importance to each promise she makes. And when her promise gets broken, we can feel her agony of not sticking to her word and having hurt those concerned. 

Also the way she is honestly caring about Lily, despite Lily being not the most kind person around, gives us a clear idea of who Leonie truly is. It would be so easy to just walk away and forget about Lily, the cottage and the letter. But that is not who Leonie is. And she does not do it because of the story she could get out of it, but because she truly cares. 

But also the things she does to make her new job work, made me like her even more. She has now a job that couldn’t be more far away from the persona she is, and even after discovering who got the job she wanted, didn’t turn her into a resentful person, going babbling about the discovery.
On the contrary, she sees the reality and is even offering a helping hand. If that isn’t proof that Leonie is the best kind of person, I don’t know what else you need to see! 

And the mystery about the cottage and Flynn Talbot… While Leonie is trying to find Flynn, I kind of knew that it wouldn’t be an easy task and the Flynn she found, wouldn’t be the letter writing Flynn.
But that only intrigued me more, as I wanted to discover the truth. I was a bit disappointed in the behaviour of ‘found Flynn’, and the way he treats Leonie. But also, I could understand his reservations and this story wouldn’t be so amazing if opinions would change the more time passed. 

For me, the focus of this story wasn’t about Leonie and wherever her relationship with Flynn would go, but it was more about the journey Leonie makes.
Because Leonie learns that life doesn’t always go as expected, and we find ourselves in positions we don’t want to be. But it’s important to always, in any circumstance to stay true to ourselves, and not take the easy way out.
We see how Leonie shows her kindness towards people, but also holds on to her own beliefs. She would never betray someone’s trust for just a story. But she also believes that love deserves a second chance, no matter how much time has passed. 

I loved reading every aspect of this book, the romance bits, the mysteries bits, the even sometimes – grasping – for – air bits. But most of all I loved the characters, as they show us all the possible feelings: love, hope, excitement, eagerness, disappointment, anger for injustice and sense of duty.
The author managed to put this all in one wonderful book, that made me feel all mushy on the inside, while also made me put on my own investigating hat, wanting to discover the truth.
And even if the importance of the setting being in the Highlands wasn’t that much of an importance, with it being in the Highlands, it added that extra sparkle!

Will two friends be able to find also love with the help of London’s Hell?

Synopsis

GAMING HELL CHRISTMAS – VOLUME 2: Mysteries abound at London’s most fashionable Hell.

The Thief Who Stole Christmas – Amanda McCabe
A man who has never broken the rules, and a woman who just might break his heart! But Christmas is always a time for second chances…

As one of Miss Greensley’s Girls, a member of the exclusive club la Sous Rose, and famous author Lady L, Victoria Lanford moves easily through Society ballrooms. Few people know how her unhappy childhood and anxiety led her to pickpocketing (yet, she did return the jewels)! When she comes face-to-face with old flame Rhys Neville, Earl of Hammond, she knows the kind-hearted, straight-laced, devilishly handsome lord is not for her—especially once the past comes back to haunt them. Why, then, can’t she stop thinking about their kisses?

The Kerse Who Saved Christmas – Kathy L Wheeler
Kerse: He, of the no nonsense approach, is stymied by She, a woman considered long past prime marriageability who needs a keeper more than he requires a wife. Yet the dreamy-eyed, impractical, and much too optimistic Philomena still manages to steal his heart despite her unrealistic beliefs and trust in fortune tellers.

My review

The Thief Who Stole Christmas – Amanda McCabe 

Victoria Lanford didn’t have a happy childhood, but that changed the moment she became one of Miss Greensley’s Girls. Now she moves easily through Society ballrooms with her best friends, even if sometimes it’s hard to resist old habits like pickpocketing (even if in the end she returns it all). That old habit and her past come back haunting her even more especially when Rhys Neville, Earl of Hammond, her old friend and flame.
While Tori keeps trying to not look back at that past, why does the handsome and kind Earl keep coming back and even share a few unforgettable kisses with her? 

The Kerse Who Saved Christmas – Kathy L Wheeler 

Philomena enjoys spending her time with books and searching for answers with fortune tellers. And being seen as a woman ‘too old’ to get married, she also believes that she will remain unmarried. But then she meets Kerse… man who keeps triggering her, even claiming that the world is round!
Despite her own beliefs, Kerse is falling for Phil quickly and hard. So can Kerse convince Phil to marry him? Or will her fortune teller be right in stating that a man will ruin her? 

I have read Volume 1, but it is not mandatory to have read that part before you start reading Volume 2. Although it would help to understand the bond between the young women better. 

Just like the previous book, I enjoyed how some events where taking place at the same time, but we were able to see them through the eyes of each main character, and how each woman would percept the same thing a bit differently. 

Perhaps I have a small preference towards Tori’s story, as I always enjoy it when an old flame returns and there may be a second chance at love.
And maybe it was a bit more difficult to be aligned with Phil more, as she was not accepting the fact the world is round, while we know for a fact that it is. Perhaps the being in different era was a too large gap for me in this case?
And also her being a little bit too trusty and gullible towards fortune tellers, made my preference go towards Tori. 

But that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy reading the second story!
Because even if Phil was in some cases a bit gullible, both women are strong and independent women. They have a strong bond between each other and their other friends, and show an immense support no matter what. 

Spending years together has made them more real sisters than those that actual are. And that bond was beautiful to read about. 

Of course I had a few laughs, reading how some other old habits are hard to die!

The concept of Gaming Hell was something I discovered through these books, and while in this volume the importance of such an establishment is not that big, it still is a common tread through the volumes.
But the actual theme, which I truly enjoyed reading, is how these women, with each their own demons, unexpectedly find what they didn’t know what they were searching for, even at moments still in denial. And seeing how even if they tried very hard to resist, they understand and feel the power of love.

Don’t we all like Vikings?

Synopsis

Her forbidden love is back to claim her!

Once Lady Rebekah shared a life changing night with stable hand Raeden but he disappeared the morning after. Now she’s consort to a cruel Saxon Lord, and when Northmen lay siege to Ryestone Keep, Rebekah’s shocked to see Raeden leading the charge! This Viking warrior is not the man she remembers, yet she finds herself drawn to him again. Taken as his hostage, Rebekah must decide: can she trust him with her life…and her dangerous secret?

Purchase Links 

https://www.millsandboon.co.uk/products/hqnsingle-07248001

https://www.harlequin.com/search.html?w=sarah+rodi

Or pre-order from Amazon, out 22nd December

https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Night-Her-Viking-Warrior/dp/0263302083

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Viking-Warrior-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B0B1Z8C1HP/

About the author

Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her grandad, or devouring love stories from the local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Berkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, her two daughters and their dog. She has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Mills & Boon. Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy ever after.

You can contact her via @sarahrodiedits or sarahrodiedits@gmail.com. Or visit her website at sarahrodi.com

Social Media Links – @sarahrodiedits www.sarahrodi.com

Follow Sara Rodi on Twitter – https://twitter.com/sarahrodiedits

Can this Christmas bring back the missing festive feelings?

Synopsis

It’s the most magical time of the year! Will Brogan and Nick find the happiness they crave so they can celebrate the festive season?

Christmas has always been a special time for Brogan, especially since her move to her grandparents’ smallholding. Set near the picturesque village of Lytell Stangdale in the middle of the North Yorkshire Moors, it’s an idyllic location. But with the loss of her beloved grandparents still raw, she’s struggling to find her festive spirit.

Talked into going to a wedding by her friends, Brogan finds herself sitting next to a rather handsome stranger. Thinking she’ll never seen him again, she dusts off her flirting skills and lets her fun-loving side loose.

Newly single Nick Heuston was dreading going to his friend’s wedding. But a chance encounter with a woman with captivating green and eyes makes him think otherwise. He’s gutted when she disappears without leaving any way for him to contact her.

Telling himself he needs a break from relationships, Nick intends to focus all his attention on his job as a vet at a new practice. It proves easier said than done; he just can’t get Brogan out of his mind.

Meanwhile, Brogan’s been looking forward to starting her new job as a vet nurse at the new local practice.

On their first day at Danskelfe Veterinary Surgery, both are stunned when they come face-t0-face once more – something Nick seems very happy about, but Brogan’s not so sure.

Despite her reluctance, it would seem fate is keen to push them together, and Brogan finds her feelings for Nick growing. As for Nick, the more he gets to know Brogan, the more he finds himself falling for her.

Just when their romance looks ready to bloom, something or someone seems to get in its way.

Will Christmas work its magic? Or are Brogan and Nick destined to be nothing more than a brief encounter?

Why not join Brogan and Nick, together with their canine companions Wilf and Maudie – and all the familiar Life on the Moors characters – for a heartwarming, festive trip to the moors?

My review

Brogan always enjoyed Christmas time, especially since she shared it with her beloved grandparents. But as losing them still hurts too much, Brogan is struggling with finding her Christmas spirit…
At a wedding she reluctantly attended, she find herself sitting next to a handsome stranger. And while sparks fly around, brogan decides to have some fun, knowing she will never see this man again.
But when she starts her new job as a vet nurse at the new local practice, she is stunned to discover that the new vet is the man she thought never seeing again.
Brogan is shocked at this discovery, while Nick is very happy to meet the woman again he cannot et out of his mind, even if she disappeared in the middle of the night.
Is this serendipity at its best and will Brogan and Nick have a chance for truly falling for each other? or will that one special night be the first and last of them being together? 

Returning to Lytell Stangdale is always a great joy for me. Add the Christmas spirit and I knew before reading just one word that the author will have managed to write another marvellous story! 

From the very first chapters, I felt like I knew Brogan my whole life and that she was a close friend of mine. Even if the way she got her heartbreak a few years ago clearly caused her doubting herself, it’s obvious to anyone what a kind, gentle, altruistic and loving person Brogan is.
And seeing how she is still grieving over the loss of her grandparents, wanted me to give her a big, comforting hug.
But I could see that my hug would not be needed, as she has her friends around her, understanding her pain, and lovely Wilf, ready for cuddling his owner whenever she needs it. 

Despite acting out of character, I was happy when she met Nick and had that one magnificent night. And her sneaking out of the room without even saying goodbye was frustrating as a reader, but also understandable. Frustrating because we know beforehand that Nick is a great guy, but understandable because Brogan obviously doesn’t know that… 

And now that you know Brogan… is there a man more perfect than Nick?
Of course he has his own heartbreak, and it saddened me to see despite his efforts to move on, how annoying his ex was still behaving… It made me wonder what Nick ever saw in that woman…
But obviously Nick has a too gentle character to put people in their place. No only his ex, but also the owners of the place he is renting.
Oh God, just thinking about that dump is giving me back the shivers!
And I always think the way a person treats an animal, shows a lot of his character. And seeing not only Nick being a calm and kind vet, but also his love for Maudie, told me more than enough!  

It’s not a big surprise that I had so much fun when both main characters discovered they were working at the same place. And seeing the joy on Nick’s face (or at least, imagining it), made my heart melt, while I laughed at Brogan being flabbergasted! 

I loved reading how Brogan and Nick, sometimes by accident and sometimes not, are spending time together and are getting to know each other for the person they really are, and using that one night as a standard. And that was truly lovely, because I can honestly believe that even without that one night, these two would get together anyway. Just because of who they are and because they deserve to be loved by a kindred spirit. Even if it took a frustratingly long time! 😊   

The kindness in this book also sparks from each page, and not only the kindness of our main characters. Because each inhabitant of this wonderful community look after each other, offer a helping hand. Lytell Stangdale is truly a place I would want to live myself. Especially as many characters already previously stole a piece of my heart (and it was wonderful to see them again!). 

There is also a bit of a mystery, but for me the revelation didn’t come as a total surprise. I figured it out really quickly what that van doing lurking around each corner. But the climax of it was exciting but also hilarious in many aspects! I was glad I wasn’t in public while I came to those bits, because I just laughed so hard! 

This was again a marvellous story by an amazing, very talented author. She captivates perfectly the wonderful characters of Brogan and Nick, showing that despite heartbreak, people keep on showing their kindness and love to even strangers.
I found this a heart – warming, perfect winter romance, about two people who deserve the world, even if they found the spotlight stolen by two fluffy characters named Wilf and Maudie. If the author may ever need inspiration for another kind of story, why not write a dog love story? Because I am sure that there is a lot of potential there! 😊

Can two best friends become more, despite the demons of their pasts?

Synopsis

Will this Christmas…

Change their lives again?

When self-made gentleman Freddie Walton rescued penniless Philomena Nichols at Christmas eight years ago, he never imagined that he would build his empire with her. Yet whilst they have created a life together as friends, Freddie can’t let their special connection become more than that. Not when his dangerous past continues to haunt him… But what happens when Freddie’s feelings for Philomena also refuse to stay hidden?

My review

Freddie Walton was able to turn his life around and has now become a self – made gentleman. Although he has to admit that his empire wouldn’t be what it is now if it weren’t for Philomena. Mena, who has been rescued by Freddie eight years ago, and since then have been best friends.
But despite his own feelings, Freddie won’t allow their bond to become more, as his dark past continues to haunt him. And Mena, believing that Freddie deserves so much more than ‘mere Mena’, is trying to hide her feelings too, as she doesn’t want to lose her best friend.
However, how long can those feelings remain hidden? And what happens when the pull becomes too strong to resist? 

I always have a weakness for stories where best friends stat to develop deeper feelings. So when I started to read, I was looking forward to read the bits where the main characters would FINALLY stop fighting those feelings. 

But… that took a very long, frustrating time! And while I understood where the both of them were coming from, I just wanted to knock some sense in both their heads! Couldn’t they just see how perfect they are for each other! Stop being so stubborn and afraid!!! 

I loved that both Freddie and Mena has come from far away, as their pasts are both rather dark ones. Freddie is still haunted by his Uncle, while it takes a very long time for the readers to discover the exact depth of it. That made it a bit difficult to exactly understand his motivations of keeping Mena at distance.
But on the other hand, I also liked him as he is very protective of Mena. He would do anything to protect her from any harm. 

The first sight we have of Mena is a rather dishevelled one. So seeing her after eight years, and seeing how much she has changed, learnt and matured, shows us that with the right help you can turn your life around.
I admired Mena also for her entrepreneurship. She wants to pay the kindness she received years ago back, by offering help on her own way. She understands how lucky she was, and it was sweet to see how she wants other people who weren’t that lucky, to have that same chance. 

The gothic part of this romance got a bit lost on me, as yes there were dome darker moments, but I wouldn’t describe them as ‘gothic’, but that can be a matter of interpretation. 

This book shows us that despite our feelings, sometimes fear can hold us back to act upon them. Fear of losing those we love, fear of feelings not being reciprocated, fear of a past that may hurt those we love.
But when love is in the equation, we shouldn’t let fear rule over these emotions. Because loving the right person, and being loved by the right person, means that the past doesn’t matter and the only thing that does is being together with your loved one, despite what society may think.

How lives can change between Christmases

Synopsis

‘I hope this Christmas is better than last year’s.’

Following a scandalous affair, wayward Emma Devaney is sent in disgrace from her home in Ireland to Ryhope, where she will live with her widowed aunt, Bessie Brogan, and help run her pub. Bessie is kind but firm, and at first Emma rebels against her lack of freedom. Struggling to fit in, she turns to the wrong person for comfort, and becomes pregnant.

Accepting she must embrace her new life for the sake of her baby, Emma pours her energy into making the pub thrive and helping heal the fractured relationship between Bessie and her daughters. She catches the attention of Robert, a gruff but sincere farmer, who means to win her heart.

As December approaches, thankful for the home and acceptance she’s found, Emma is determined to bring not just her family, but the whole Ryhope community, together to celebrate – and to make one very special mother’s Christmas dreams come true.

My review

Emma Devaney has been sent away after a scandal to her aunt Bessie in Ryhope. While life in Ryhope is different from her life in Ireland, Emma also realizes that many thing are just the same, and not all in a good way.
Initially Emma rebels against her refrained freedom, even if her aunt Bessie shows her kindness, letting her work in the pub, but also firmness.
However, slowly Emma sees the quicker she embraces her new life, the quicker she may even find her own happiness. That is, until she discovers that her last rebellious act came with consequences. And now she is more than ever determined to bring her new family together and even bring the community of Ryhope closer. 

While I enjoyed reading this book, I found it a pity that the blurb of the book and its title gave away a lot of the plot.
Because even if the blurb does tell in fact what happens in the book, I found it not putting the focus on the right things, even spoiling a bit the discovery of Emma’s tale. 

At the start from this book, Emma is seen as a scandalous young woman. And it could have been easy to just go along with the prejudice, reading how Emma found herself in that situation, I found it not fair that she has been put to blame for everything. Because even if what happened was wrong, there were two persons involved… 

I also found Emma’s mother a bit cold. Of course, Emma is not being the easiest daughter, but the easiness which she is being sent away made me also angry… because again, Emma is not the only one to blame. 

Emma’s trip to Ryhope doesn’t go smoothly, causing her arrive to cause again a stir. And it saddened me to see Emma being judged again while she wasn’t at fault at all. Shows again how quickly people have their prejudice ready, without even looking for the truth. And I understood Emma’s behaviour, as everyone saw her being ‘evil’, why would she try to be nice and a good girl? 

Yet I absolutely liked Bessie… she is still heart – broken after losing her beloved husband, but she welcomes Emma in her home and pub, and she doesn’t take note from what people say and is the only person who sees Emma for who Emma truly is. 

Seeing how Emma slowly adapt in her new life, and even matures, made me feel proud of her. She came from a rather dark place, but due her stubbornness she is able to make positive changes not only in her own behaviour but also in the lives of her new found family.
While it may seem at moments that she is a proud woman, as a reader we see very clear that it is not pride that Emma is showing but just not taking nonsense.
And Emma is also not that proud to admit her mistakes and apologies for her behaviour.  

With Robert, a farmer, she starts off with the wrong foot, and they clash several times, but Emma also sees how kind and gentle he is, especially towards Bessie. And she sees how wrong she was in her perception of him.
Robert, who proves to be more of a gentleman than his farmer – state would make you think… 

This book shows us that in a year, so many things can change, and that people can mature easily, having the right mindset. It was lovely to see how Emma changed from a rebel into a young woman with responsibilities and into a loving caring woman, who uses her own strengths for the benefit of her family.
A story set in the past, but also showing in the present that it’s never too late to change and turn your life around for the much better, even against all odds.

No everyone has the same Christmas…

Synopsis

As warming as a mince pie and a glass of sherry, these eighteen festive-themed shorts are just waiting to be unwrapped.

• A lonely dog shelter volunteer battles to find new homes for her long-time canine residents while realising her own future is just as uncertain. As the new year approaches, can a fellow animal lover give her the fresh start she so wants for her dogs.

• A widowed grandmother prepares to reunite with her forbidden first love, only to discover the grand country pile from where he’s sent her a Christmas card isn’t quite what it seems.

• A single woman finally meets a man to couple up with over the festive season, but will the eccentric mistress of her late father destroy her plans?

• An ambitious 20-something attends a lavish Christmas party with only one aim – to bag a rich husband. But her plans are derailed when a troubling connection with the aristocrat she’s set her sights on is revealed.

Geraldine Ryan is a prolific short-story writer whose work has appeared in Woman’s Weekly and Take a Break’s Fiction Feast magazines. This yuletide collection follows hot on the heels of her first published anthology Riding Pillion with George Clooney. While Christmas comes but once a year, these moving and humorous tales will stay with you for a lifetime.

My review

Eighteen short stories with one central theme, Christmas. However, despite this common ground, it shows how different people live towards and celebrate Christmas. Heart – warming stories about people with a care for others, bringing all the festive emotions with an unexpected yet warm surprise for each character. 

The beauty of short stories is that you can read each story in the blink of an eye. However, that is also the disadvantage. Because there are characters that you have an immediate liking and you want to read more of them and discover what the future will have in store for them. 

In this collection, there are a few stories that are my absolute favourite, and a few that are not. Those that are not, I am not saying that I disliked them totally but just saying that I missed that extra sparkle that I had with my favourites.
But that is just because of personal interest and likes, so perhaps your favourites will be those that aren’t mine! 

The common thread is Christmas, but in fact it is the gentle and kindness of each main character in their own short story. Each character is different from the previous character, making this each time a new discovery and a new character to completely like.
Some characters are young in age, ready to discover how the real world works, while others have already found their place in the world.
But whether you are a young single, or in an unhappy marriage, with that extra magic of Christmas, nothing is impossible. 

I loved each heart – warming story, and was eager to start each new tale even if it saddened me a little bit when I wanted just to read a little bit more about those characters that in their own way made a change for those around them, even with a small gesture that would turn out to have a great impact. 

And sometimes you need a collection of short stories to make you remember again what Christmas is about, and appreciate the people around us and appreciate what we have and count our blessings!

How a good intention changes a town

Synopsis

Because we all need something to smile about!

She may be down but don’t count this determined single mum out just yet…

Nine years ago, Zoe Taylor returned from London to the quiet hamlet of Westholme with her tail between her legs and a bun in the oven. Where once her job as a journalist saw her tearing off to Paris at a moment’s notice after a lead, now the single mum covers the local news desk. At least, she did…until she’s unceremoniously let go.

When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turns into something more… and before the night is out she’s plotted her next step: The Good News Gazette.

Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe’s good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette as a way to save herself, but she might just be able to save Westholme in the process…

My review

Zoe Taylor is a single – mother working at the local news desk. That is, until she’s let go. While wining and whining with her best friends, a new idea is being made, writing a news paper and a blog only containing good news. And so The Good News Gazette is born.
When the news reaches that a developer wants to change the Westholme parade into a fancy shopping area and thus changing all the inhabitants’ lives, Zoe finds herself leading a campaign to save the town. However, while trying to save the town, Zoe starts to learn more about herself… 

This story took me a while before I was totally submerged into it. But once I was ‘in it’, I found it impossible to tear myself away. 

At the start of the story, I didn’t like Zoe 100%. Yes, she is a very committed mother, she would do anything for her little boy. But at the same time, she is also a bit overprotective. Also, the fact that she keeps on turning late at work was an eyesore. But that is more because I am the kind of person who turns up 10 minutes earlier everywhere, just to be sure I am on time. 

But at the same time I also felt sorry for her. Because not only did she have her dream crushed when she got pregnant, she also returned home to Westholme with her tail between her legs. She tries to make the best out of her situation, but it’s obvious that things aren’t easy. She does her best to raise Charlie on her own, but the absence of Charlie’s father, and the ability of keeping disappointing Charlie, broke my heart… 

As soon as the crusade starts, the story starts to fly and Zoe starts to open up more. We see how her listening to the community makes a change in her too. While at the start, she was rather on her own, with the Gazette and her quest to save the parade, she makes new friends, become a true, estimated member of the community. And we see her self – esteem also grow!
The effect of working to safe Westholme also made her loosen up, letting the reins go bit by bit.
We see her change into a strong woman who doesn’t give up easily, someone to admire and be proud of to have in your community. 

I liked how a community started to work together, even if there were a few idiots on the Facebook page…
And seeing how they start to rely on each other, making new, strong friendships warmed my heart. 

There is also of course a love interest. And perhaps having a love interest that isn’t that perfect at all, having made mistakes in the past, was even better for the story and for Zoe. Because nobody in real life is perfect, and we all make mistakes, but it‘s about what we learn from those mistakes.
And also seeing how slowly Zoe starts to realize that it’s okay to think about her own happiness, meeting someone new, shows us that you being happy brings also happiness to our beloved ones. 

A wonderful story about a whole community coming together, to fight for their values, finding yourself and daring to start afresh with your new found strength. What more can you want?

A Christmas filled with memories of the past and hope for the future

Synopsis

As a toddler Elodie Jacques was abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her French grandmother, Gabriella in Dartmouth, Devon.

Now 24 years old, Elodie struggles to reconcile the deep anger for the mother she has never since seen.

When Gabriella unexpectedly announces she wants the two of them to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France Elodie is thrilled.

Gabriella meanwhile has her own ulterior motives for wanting to return after 40 years, a daunting homecoming potentially filled with memories, secrets and recriminations.

With Juan-les-Pins pulsing with lights, decorations and the festive spirit, Christmas promises to be filled with fun. But when Elodie learns there is the possibility that her long absent mother may join them she hides her feelings behind a show of indifference and animosity.

Will there be the reconciliation that Gabriella longs for – or will the spirit of Christmas fail to work its magic?

My review

Elodie Jacques grew up with her French grandmother Gabriella in Dartmouth after her own mother abandoned her.
She never understood how a mother could just leave her child for a man, and she is still resenting her mother for it, even if Gabby gave her all the love she needed.
When Gabby announces her wish to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town in the south of France, Elodie sees this as a chance to gather her thoughts and think about her future.
But Elodie doesn’t know that Gabby has her own reasons to return to Juan – les – Pins, as Gabby left her home 40 years ago and returning will open those wounds that actually never truly healed…
And when there is a small chance of Elodie’s mother returning on the scene, may this be a Christmas filled with forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts? 

Jennifer Bohnet has the talent of writing stories that are sweeping you off your feet. And with this story taking place around Christmas it just got better! 

I loved how this stories is focussed on two characters, a grandmother and a granddaughter who are looking after each other, but also how different they are from each other. 

First we have Gabby, who left her life in France behind to start over in Devon, but has never been able to have closure over her previous life.
I found it first of all courageous to see how she was able to start a new life without the people she loved and especially in her state.
But it was also very clear that she missed her home, knowing she wouldn’t be able to return to her home and family because of her situation. 

I also admired her for making up for her own daughter’s mistake, and raising Elodie on her own. And while I, just like Elodie can’t comprehend why a mother would leave her child behind, I also understood Gabby, because in the end, Elodie’s mother is her own daughter, who she loves deeply, despite the mistakes she made… 

And then there is Elodie, a young woman raised by her grandmother, feeling that she was not worth for her mother to stay…
Elodie needs a change in her life, but doesn’t know what direction to take. And that makes her very recognizable, because I think we all have been in that phase, wanting a change but not knowing where to turn… 

Going to Juan – les – Pins has a different meaning to both women. I was curious to know Gabby’s full story and I also wanted to know if Elodie would find answers to her own questions.
I passed Antibes once very quickly, but I can easily that Juan – les – Pins, by just reading its descriptions made me fall in love with the place.
Not only of its beauty, but also with how welcomed Gabby and Elodie were by its inhabitants. 

It was sweet to read how both Gabby and Elodie met new friends, how the place, even with Gabby’s sad memories, truly felt like home and how future plans were made. 

But also the author managed to show us that there always two sides of a story, especially when Elodie’s mother is back on the scene. While it was easy to initially condemn her, when reading how her life was, it made me feel sad and made me understand that in this case, there were more than just one person left heart – broken… 

I loved reading this marvellous story, filled with both holiday feelings and Christmas feelings. But after finishing the last chapter, the thing that I remembered the most of it, was that everyone deserves forgiveness. And that starting over, at a new place or an old place, can be the start of a wonderful next chapter in life and can bring you more happiness, love and joy than before!